U.S. patent number 11,284,645 [Application Number 16/807,113] was granted by the patent office on 2022-03-29 for vaporization device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SHENZHEN RELX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is SHENZHEN RELX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hui Wang, Shengyang Xu.
United States Patent |
11,284,645 |
Wang , et al. |
March 29, 2022 |
Vaporization device
Abstract
This application relates to a vaporization device including a
housing, a top cap and a heating assembly. The housing further has
a storage chamber and a channel. The top cap further has a first
top cap component and a second top cap component. The first top cap
component has at least one through hole configured to suppress a
flow rate of tobacco tar flowing from the storage chamber into the
heating assembly.
Inventors: |
Wang; Hui (Shenzhen,
CN), Xu; Shengyang (Shenzhen, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHENZHEN RELX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Shenzhen |
N/A |
CN |
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Assignee: |
SHENZHEN RELX TECHNOLOGY CO.,
LTD. (Shenzhen, CN)
|
Family
ID: |
69012673 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/807,113 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20210106059 A1 |
Apr 15, 2021 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 10, 2019 [CN] |
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201910958493.2 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F
40/48 (20200101); A24F 40/485 (20200101); A24F
40/46 (20200101); A24F 40/40 (20200101); A24F
40/10 (20200101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24F
40/48 (20200101); A24F 40/46 (20200101) |
Field of
Search: |
;131/328,329 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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108185536 |
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Jun 2018 |
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CN |
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108354235 |
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Aug 2018 |
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CN |
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108576938 |
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Sep 2018 |
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CN |
|
208624651 |
|
Mar 2019 |
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CN |
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209403574 |
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Sep 2019 |
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CN |
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Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion of corresponding
PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/110323 dated Jun. 29, 2020.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hyeon; Hae Moon
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Idea Intellectual Limited Burke;
Margaret A. Yip; Sam T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vaporization device comprising: a housing comprising a storage
chamber; a top cap disposed in the housing and connected to the
storage chamber; and a heating assembly disposed in the housing and
connected to the top cap, wherein the top cap comprises a first top
cap component and a second top cap component that are engaged with
each other and in fluid communication with each other, the first
top cap component being connected to the storage chamber, and the
second top cap component being connected to the heating assembly,
wherein the first top cap component comprises a first through hole
in fluid communication with the storage chamber, the first through
hole comprising a first side wall and a second side wall opposite
to the first side wall, wherein the first through hole comprises a
first baffle at a location close to the storage chamber, the first
baffle extending and protruding from the first side wall; and the
first through hole comprises a second baffle at a location close to
the second top cap component, the second baffle extending and
protruding from the second side wall.
2. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the first
baffle substantially extends horizontally from the first side wall,
and the second baffle substantially extends horizontally from the
second side wall.
3. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the first
baffle at least partially overlaps the second baffle from a top
view perspective.
4. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the first
baffle is spaced from the second baffle from a top view
perspective.
5. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the second
top cap component comprises a second through hole and a third
through hole that are in fluid communication with the heating
assembly.
6. The vaporization device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of
the cross-sectional area of the second through hole or the third
through hole to the cross-sectional area of the storage chamber is
about 1:15 to 1:20.
7. The vaporization device according to claim 5, wherein a
cross-sectional diameter of the second through hole or the third
through hole is about 1.7 mm.
8. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the top
cap further comprises a sealing element engaged with the second top
cap component and interconnected with the heating assembly.
9. The vaporization device according to claim 8, wherein the
heating assembly comprises a heating component and a heating base
for supporting the heating component, and the sealing element is
disposed on the heating component.
10. The vaporization device according to claim 9, wherein the
sealing element comprises a top, a bottom and a third side wall
extending between the top and bottom, the third side wall
comprising a first groove, the top comprising a second groove, and
the bottom comprising a third groove, a cavity being defined
between the first groove and the heating component.
11. The vaporization device according to claim 10, wherein the
third side wall of the sealing element comprises a first partition,
the first partition comprising a first segment and a second
segment, and a first end of the first segment being interconnected
with a second end of the second segment.
12. The vaporization device according to claim 11, wherein there is
a first angle between the first segment and the second segment, the
first angle being between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
13. The vaporization device according to claim 11, wherein the
first segment comprises a third end opposite to the first end, and
the second segment comprises a fourth end opposite to the second
end, a first gap being formed between the third end and a first
surface of the first groove, and a second gap being formed between
the fourth end and a second surface that is of the first groove and
that is opposite to the first surface.
14. The vaporization device according to claim 11, wherein the
third side wall of the sealing element further comprises a second
partition, the second partition comprising a third segment and a
fourth segment, a third gap being formed between a fifth end of the
third segment and a sixth end of the fourth segment.
15. The vaporization device according to claim 14, wherein there is
a first angle between the first segment and the second segment, and
there is a second angle between the third segment and the fourth
segment, the first angle being different from the second angle.
16. The vaporization device according to claim 14, wherein the
third segment extends at an angle from a first side of the first
groove toward a second side that is of the first groove and that is
opposite to the first side, and the fourth segment extends at an
angle from the second side of the first groove toward the first
side of the first groove.
17. The vaporization device according to claim 8, wherein the first
top cap component, the second top cap component and the sealing
element are made of different materials.
18. The vaporization device according to claim 1, wherein the first
top cap component is made of silica gel.
19. The vaporization device according to claim 8, wherein the
sealing element is made of silica gel.
20. The vaporization device according to claim 9, further
comprising a first tar absorbing pad, the first tar absorbing pad
being disposed between the heating component and the heating
base.
21. The vaporization device according to claim 9, wherein the
heating base comprises a first opening, and the heating assembly is
connected to the outside through the first opening.
22. The vaporization device according to claim 21, wherein the
first opening is disposed adjacent to a first end of the heating
base, a second end opposite to the first end of the heating base
comprising a second tar absorbing pad.
23. The vaporization device according to claim 20, wherein the
first tar absorbing pad is made of macromolecule cotton.
24. The vaporization device according to claim 22, wherein the
second tar absorbing pad is made of macromolecule cotton.
25. The vaporization device according to claim 9, further
comprising a circuit board electrically connected to the heating
component.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of priority from the
China Patent Application No. 201910980342.7, filed on Oct. 10,
2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to a vaporization device,
and more particularly to an electronic device for providing an
inhalable aerial fog.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic cigarette is an electronic product that heats a
vaporizable solution and vaporizes the solution to produce aerial
fog for a user to inhale. In recent years, major manufacturers
begin to produce various electronic cigarette products. Generally,
an electronic cigarette product includes a housing, an e-liquid
storage chamber, a vaporization chamber, a heating component, an
air inlet, an airflow channel, an air outlet, a power supply
device, a sensing device, and a control device. The air inlet is in
communication with the vaporization chamber, and supplies air to
the heating component when the user inhales. The aerial fog
generated by the heating component is first generated in the
vaporization chamber, then flows through the airflow channel and
the air outlet, and is finally inhaled by the user. The power
supply device supplies power needed by the heating component, and
the control device controls the heating time of the heating
component according to an inhalation action of the user detected by
the sensing device. The housing wraps all the foregoing
components.
An existing electronic smoke product in the market has a biggest
problem, such as tar leakage of a cartridge, burnt smell or no
smoke. In Most of solutions, an air inlet and an air outlet on both
sides are used to block, or the user is educated to throw out
leakage. However, the problem cannot be resolved fundamentally
using these solutions, and leads to very poor user experience.
Therefore, a vaporization device which can resolve the above
problem is provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some embodiments of this application provide a vaporization device.
The provided vaporization device includes a housing having a
storage chamber, a top cap disposed in the housing and
interconnected with the storage chamber, and a heating assembly
disposed in the housing and engaged with and interconnected with
the top cap. The top cap further includes a first top cap component
and a second top cap component that are engaged with and are
interconnected with each other. The first top cap component may be
connected to the storage chamber, and the second top cap component
may be connected to the heating assembly. The first top cap
component has a first through hole, the first through hole having a
first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side
wall. A first baffle is formed at a location that is on the first
through hole and that is close to the storage chamber and extends
from the first side wall for protruding. A second baffle is formed
at a location that is on the first through hole and that is close
to the second top cap component and extends from the second side
wall for protruding.
Other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are also
expected. The above summary and the following detailed description
are not intended to limit the present disclosure to any particular
embodiment, but are merely intended to describe some embodiments of
the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the essence and objectives of some
embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is made to the
following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numerals represent
similar components unless the context explicitly indicates
otherwise.
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 2A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according to
some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 3A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according to
some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5C is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 6A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heating base
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
heating base according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 8A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 8B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according to
some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 9A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 9B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according to
some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 11A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 11C is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 11D is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 12A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heating base
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
heating base according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 14A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 14B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 14C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 15A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 15B is a schematic top view of a top cap component according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 15C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
top cap component according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 17A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
component according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 17C is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 17D is a schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 18A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heating base
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
heating base according to some embodiments of this application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following disclosed content provides many different embodiments
or examples of different features used to implement the provided
subject matters. The following describes particular examples of
components and deployments. Certainly, these are merely examples
and are not intended to be limitative. In the disclosure, in the
following descriptions, reference formed by the first feature above
or on the second feature may include an embodiment formed by direct
contact between the first feature and the second feature, and may
further include an embodiment in which an additional feature may be
formed between the first feature and the second feature to enable
the first feature and the second feature to be not in direct
contact. In addition, in the present disclosure, reference numerals
and/or letters may be repeated in examples. This repetition is for
the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not indicate a
relationship between the described various embodiments and/or
configurations.
The embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below.
However, it should be understood that, the disclosure provides many
applicable concepts that can be implemented in various particular
cases. The described particular embodiments are only illustrative
and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
In some embodiments of this application, an electronic vaporizer
device is also referred to as an electronic cigarette. The
electronic vaporizer device includes an electronic vaporizer device
body and an electronic vaporizer, the electronic vaporizer device
body being also referred to as a tobacco rod (not shown), and the
electronic vaporizer being also referred to as a cartridge 1. In
some embodiments of this application, the cartridge and the tobacco
rod are separated structural components, and the cartridge is
connected to the tobacco rod in a pluggable manner. The cartridge
is engaged with the tobacco rod to form an electronic cigarette. In
some embodiments of this application, the cartridge and the tobacco
rod may be integrally formed structural components.
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge 1 according to some embodiments of this
application. The cartridge 1 includes a mouthpiece (mouthpiece) 11,
a cap 12, a housing 13, a top cap 14, a heating component 15, a
heating base 16, a tube 17, an ejector pin 18, a printed circuit
board (PCB) module 19 and a bottom cap 10. In some embodiments, the
heating component 15 and the heating base 16 may form a heating
assembly in some embodiments of this application. In some
embodiments, the heating component 15, the ejector pin 18, and the
PCB module 19 form a heating circuit in some embodiments of this
application. In some embodiments, a resistor (not shown) indicating
taste information of the cartridge 1 is disposed on the PCB module
19. In some embodiments, an encryption chip (not shown) is further
disposed on the PCB module 19.
In some embodiments of this application, the cartridge 1 further
includes a tar absorbing pad 151 located below the heating
component 15. The tar absorbing pad 151 may be configured to absorb
tobacco tar that may leak. A material of the tar absorbing pad 151
is macromolecule cotton, but may be selected according to an actual
situation and is not limited thereto. Both sides of the tar
absorbing pad 151 are provided with through holes or openings, the
through holes or openings wrapping an outer wall of an upper half
portion of the ejector pin 18.
The heating base 16 includes a hole 161, two holes 162, and a
plurality of holes 163. The hole 161 is configured to accommodate
the tube 17. When the cartridge 1 is assembled, the PCB module 19
is separated from the tube 17, and the PCB module 19 is not in
direct contact with the tube 17. The two holes 162 are respectively
configured to accommodate one ejector pin 18. Through the plurality
of holes 163, the tube 17 may be in fluid communication with space
in which a lower surface of the heating component 15, the tar
absorbing pad 151, and the ejector pin 18 are located.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 11 has a hole 111, the cap 12
has a hole 121, and the housing 13 has a hole 131. When the
mouthpiece 11, the cap 12, and the housing 13 are engaged with each
other, the hole 111, the hole 121, and the hole 131 are in fluid
communication with each other. A user may inhale gas containing a
vaporized substance (for example, tobacco tar) from the hole 111 of
the mouthpiece 11.
Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the top cap
14 has a first top cap component 141, a second top cap component
142, and a third top cap component 143. The third top cap component
143 may be a heating sealing element. In some embodiments, the
first top cap component 141, the second top cap component 142, and
the third top cap component 143 are made of different materials. In
some embodiments, the first top cap component 141 and the third top
cap component 143 may be made of a same material. In some
embodiments, the second top cap component 142 is made of a material
different from that of the first top cap component 141 and the
third top cap component 143.
The first top cap component 141 may be made of silica gel. The
third top cap component 143 may be made of silica gel. The second
top cap component 142 may be made of plastics. Material hardness of
the second top cap component 142 may be higher than that of the
first top cap component 141. Material hardness of the second top
cap component 142 may be higher than that of the third top cap
component 143.
The material hardness of the second top cap component 142 may be
within a range from 65 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type A. The
material hardness of the second top cap component 142 may be within
a range from 75 A to 85 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material
hardness of the second top cap component 142 may be within a range
from 85 A to 90 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the first top cap component 141 may be within a range from 20 A
to 40 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the
first top cap component 141 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A
of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the first top
cap component 141 may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the third top cap
component 143 may be within a range from 20 A to 40 A of a Shore
hardness type A. The material hardness of the third top cap
component 143 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A of a Shore
hardness type A. The material hardness of the third top cap
component 143 may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a Shore
hardness type A.
The first top cap component 141, the second top cap component 142,
and the third top cap component 143 of the top cap 14 may be
combined together by later assembly. Therefore, assembly
misalignment and a part tolerance problem may occur among the first
top cap component 141, the second top cap component 142, and the
third top cap component 143, further leading to a leakage risk (for
example, tobacco tar leakage). A bonding force between the first
top cap component 141 and the second top cap component 142 tends to
be 0 N (that is, 0 Newton). A bonding force between the third top
cap component 143 and the second top cap component 142 tends to be
0 N. For example, the mutually combined first top cap component 141
and the second top cap component 142 may be easily separated. The
mutually combined second top cap component 142 and the third top
cap component 143 may be easily separated.
When the first top cap component 141 is engaged with the second top
cap component 142, the first top cap component 141 surrounds a
portion of the second top cap component 142. When the second top
cap component 142 is engaged with the third top cap component 143,
a portion of the second top cap component 142 surrounds the third
top cap component 143.
When the top cap 14 is engaged with the housing 13, an inner
surface of the housing 13 surrounds the first top cap component
141. When the top cap 14 is engaged with the heating component 15,
the third top cap component 143 surrounds the heating component
15.
In some embodiments, an upper surface of the heating component 15
includes a groove. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the
heating component 15 has two pins, each of the two pins of the
heating component 15 being coupled with a corresponding ejector pin
18. The ejector pin 18 may be coupled with the PCB module 19.
FIG. 2A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a first top cap
component 141 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of a first top cap component 141
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 2C is a
schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a first top cap
component 141 according to some embodiments of this application. As
shown in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C, the first component 141 has
a first through holes 1411, a second through hole 1412, and a third
through hole 1413 penetrating through a body of the first top cap
component 141. Referring to FIG. 2C, FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional
view of FIG. 2B taken along a line A-A. The first top cap component
141 has a first plate 1415 and a second plate 1417. The first and
second plates 1415 and 1417 are formed in an inner cavity of the
first top cap component 141, to substantially divide the inner
cavity of the first top cap component 141 into the first, second
and third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413. Because of
configuration of the first and second plates 1415 and 1417, the
formed first, second and third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413
are not in a uniform inner diameter. An inner diameter of the first
through hole 1411 gradually tapers from bottom to top, an inner
diameter of the second through hole 1412 gradually tapers from top
to bottom, and an inner diameter of the third through hole 1413
gradually tapers from bottom to top. Therefore, the cross-sectional
area of a lower opening 14112 of the first through hole 1411 is
larger than that of an upper opening 14111 of the first through
hole 1411, the cross-sectional area of an upper opening 14121 of
the second through hole 1412 is larger than that of a lower opening
14121 of the second through hole 1412, and the cross-sectional area
of a lower opening 14132 of the third through hole 1413 is larger
than that of an upper opening 14131 of the third through hole 1413.
In addition, the first, second and third through holes 1411, 1412,
and 1413 are not completely separated from each other, and the
first, second and third through hole 1411, 1412, and 1413 are at
least partially in fluid communication with each other. As shown in
FIG. 2C, there are voids below lower ends of the first and second
plates 1415 and 1417, and through the voids, the first, second and
third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413 can be in fluid
communication with each other.
FIG. 3A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a second top
cap component 142 according to some embodiments of this
application. FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of a second top cap
component 142 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
second top cap component 142 according to some embodiments of this
application. As shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C, the second
top cap component 142 has a first through hole 1421 and a second
through hole 1422 each penetrating through a body of the second top
cap component 142. Referring to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B taken along a line B-B. The first
through hole 1421 has an upper opening 14211 and a lower opening
14212. The second through hole 1422 has an upper opening 14221 and
a lower opening 14222. When a first top cap component 141 and the
second top cap component 142 are assembled, first and third through
holes 1411 and 1413 of the first top cap component 141 each
substantially correspond to the first and second through holes 1421
and 1422 of the second top cap component 142. Further, a lower
opening 14112 of the first through hole 1411 of the first top cap
component 141 is substantially aligned with an upper opening 14211
of the first through hole 1421 of the second top cap component 142,
and a lower opening 14132 of the third through hole 1413 of the
first top cap component 141 is substantially aligned with an upper
opening 14221 of the second through hole 1422 of the second top cap
component 142.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge 1 according to some embodiments of this application. A
housing 13 includes a storage chamber 132. The storage chamber 132
is configured to store a to-be-vaporized fluid substance, such as
tobacco tar. A top cap 14 (including a first top cap component 141,
a second top cap component 142, and a third top cap component 143)
is engaged with the housing 13. In some embodiments, the housing 13
and the top cap 14 define the storage chamber 132. When the top cap
14 is engaged with the housing 13, an inner surface of the housing
13 surrounds the first top cap component 141 of the top cap 14. In
some embodiments, the housing 13 defines the storage chamber 132.
When the top cap 14 is engaged with the housing 13, an inner
surface of the storage chamber 132 surrounds the first top cap
component 141 of the top cap 14. The top cap 14 (including the
first top cap component 141, the second top cap component 142, and
the third top cap component 143) is engaged with a heating
component 15. When the top cap 14 is engaged with the heating
component 15, the third top cap component 143 of the top cap 14
surrounds the heating component 15.
The first top cap component 141 of the top cap 14 has the first,
second and third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413, and the second
top cap component 142 has the first and second through holes 1421
and 1422. An upper surface of the heating component 15 has a
groove. The second top cap component 142 and the upper surface of
the heating component 15 define a cavity 155.
The storage chamber 132 is in fluid communication with the first,
second and third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413. The first,
second and third through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are in fluid
communication with the first through hole 1421 and the second
through hole 1422. The first, second and third through holes 1411,
1412 and 1413 are in fluid communication with the cavity 155
through the first and second through holes 1421 and 1422.
Therefore, the storage chamber 132, the first, second and third
through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413, and the first and second
through holes 1421 and 1422 are in fluid communication with the
cavity 155. A ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first
through hole 1421 or the second through hole 1422 to the
cross-sectional area of the storage chamber 132 is substantially
from 1:15 to 1:20. Further, a cross-sectional diameter of the first
through hole 1421 or the second 1422 is about 1.7 mm.
The heating component 15 includes two pins 152. The pins 152 are
coupled with an ejector pin 18. A tube 17 extends from a bottom cap
10 toward the heating component 15. The tube 17 includes two ends.
The two ends of the tube 17 each have an opening 171 and an opening
172. The tube 17 extends and partially penetrates through a heating
base 16. A hole 161 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the heating base 16
accommodates the tube 17. The opening 171 of the tube 17 defines an
opening on a bottom surface of the heating base 16. The opening 171
of the tube 17 is exposed on the bottom surface of the heating base
16. The heating base 16 includes the opening 171 of the tube 17. A
through hole 101 of the bottom cap 10 exposes the opening 171. The
opening 171 and the opening 172 of the tube 17 are in fluid
communication with the outside.
Still referring to FIG. 4, an inner diameter of the first through
hole 1411 of the first top cap component 141 gradually tapers from
bottom to top, an inner diameter of the second through hole 1412
gradually tapers from top to bottom, and an inner diameter of the
third through hole 1413 gradually tapers from bottom to top.
Therefore, the cross-sectional area of a lower opening 14112 of the
first through hole 1411 is larger than that of an upper opening
14111 of the first through hole 1411, the cross-sectional area of
an upper opening 14121 of the second through hole 1412 is larger
than that of a lower opening 14121 of the second through hole 1412,
and the cross-sectional area of a lower opening 14132 of the third
through hole 1413 is larger than that of an upper opening 14131 of
the through hole 1413. In addition, the first and third through
holes 1411 and 1413 of the first top cap component 141 each
substantially correspond to the first and second through holes 1421
and 1422 of the second top cap component 142. Therefore, the lower
opening 14112 of the first through hole 1411 of the first top cap
component 141 is substantially aligned with an upper opening 14211
of the first through hole 1421 of the second top cap component 142,
and the lower opening 14132 of the third through hole 1413 of the
first top cap component 141 is substantially aligned with an upper
opening 14221 of the second through hole 1422 of the second top cap
component 142.
A dashed arrow in FIG. 4 shows an outlet passage P1 of the
cartridge 1. Outside fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening
171 of the tube 17, passes through the tube 17, and flows out from
the opening 172 of the tube 17. The air flowing out from the
opening 172 of the tube 17 passes through a plurality of holes 163
(as shown in FIG. 1B) of the heating base 16 and flows to a
vaporization chamber 153. The vaporization chamber 153 is defined
by a lower portion of the heating component 15, the pins 152, and
the ejector pin 18. The lower portion of the heating component 15
is exposed in the vaporization chamber 153. Aerial fog generated by
heating of the heating component 15 is mixed with air, and the
aerial fog mixed with air flows through a passage 133 of the
housing 13 to a hole 131 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the housing 13
and a hole 121 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of a cap 12, and then flows to
a hole 111 of a mouthpiece 11 to be sucked by a user.
When the cartridge 1 is used, tobacco tar stored in the storage
chamber 132 may first flows into the cavity 155 through the first,
second and third through hole 1411, 1412 or 1413 of the first top
cap component 141 and the first and second through hole 1421 or
1422 of the second top cap component 142. Subsequently, the heating
component 15 may start heating the tobacco tar flowing into the
cavity 155. When the tobacco tar in the cavity 155 is heated,
aerial fog is generated. A portion of the aerial fog enters the
passage 133 of the housing 13 along with air entering from the
outside to further enter the hole 121 of the cap 12 and the hole
111 of the mouthpiece 11, so that the portion of the aerial fog is
sucked by the user. However, if a flow rate at which the tobacco
tar flows from the storage chamber 132 to the cavity 155 is too
fast, an excessive amount of tobacco tar flows into the cavity 155.
In this way, it is likely to cause situations such as tar leakage
of the cartridge, a burnt smell, or no smoke. Therefore, some
embodiments of this application provide the first, second and third
through holes 1411, 1412, and 1413 of the first top cap component
141 and the first and second through holes 1421 and 1422 of the
second top cap component 142. The first, second and third through
holes 1411, 1412, and 1413 of the first top cap component 141 and
the first and second through holes 1421 and 1422 of the second top
cap component 142 are configured to suppress the flow rate at which
the tobacco tar flows from the storage chamber 132 to the cavity
155, to prevent the excessive amount of tobacco tar from flowing
into the cavity 155. Therefore, the above technical problems can be
resolved.
As described above, when the heating component 15 may start heating
the tobacco tar flowing into the cavity 155, a portion of smoke
produced by the tobacco tar enters the passage 133 of the housing
13 along with air entering from the outside, while another portion
of the smoke becomes a bubble that flows into the first and third
through holes 1411 and 1413 of the first top cap component 141
through the first and second through holes 1421 and 1422 of the
second top cap component 142 (see an arrow f1). When the bubble
formed by the portion of the smoke flows into the first and third
through holes 1411 and 1413, because the inner diameters of the
first and third through holes 1411 and 1413 gradually tapers from
bottom to top, and due to a pressure applied by remaining tobacco
tar in the storage chamber 132, the bubble may be initially blocked
at the opening 14111 of the first through hole 1411 and the opening
14131 of the third through hole 1413, and does not continue to flow
upward into the storage chamber 132. Further, because the opening
14111 of the first through hole 1411 and the opening 14131 of the
third through hole 1413 are blocked by the bubble, the tobacco tar
in the storage chamber 132 does not continue to flow into the
cavity 155. When the heating component 15 continues to heat the
tobacco tar in the cavity 155, the heated tobacco tar may produce
an increasing number of bubbles to flow into the first and third
through holes 1411 and 1413. When the increasing number of bubbles
are blocked and accumulated in the opening 14111 of the first
through hole 1411 and the opening 14131 of the third through hole
1413, and when a pressure formed by the accumulated bubbles is
greater than the pressure applied by the remaining tobacco tar in
the storage chamber 132, the bubbles continue to flow upward into
the storage chamber 132 through the opening 14111 of the first
through hole 1411 and the opening 14131 of the third through hole
1413 (see an arrow f2). Once the bubbles flow upward into the
storage chamber 132 through the opening 14111 of the first through
hole 1411 and the opening 14131 of the third through hole 1413, the
remaining tobacco tar in the storage chamber 132 flows downward
into the second through hole 1412 of the first top cap component
141 (see an arrow f3) and further flows into the cavity 155 through
the first and second through holes 1421 and 1422 of the second top
cap component 142 to be heated by the heating component 15, so as
to continue to produce smoke that can be inhaled by the user.
In the foregoing way, the flow rate at which the tobacco tar in the
storage chamber 132 flows to the cavity 155 can be effectively
suppressed to prevent the excessive amount of tobacco tar from
flowing into the cavity 155.
FIG. 5A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 5B is a
schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap component according
to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 5C is a partial
cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge according to some
embodiments of this application. FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of
a side wall of a top cap component according to some embodiments of
this application.
As described above, the component 143 may be a sealing element. As
shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C, the component 143 has a top
1431, a bottom 1433 and a side wall 1435 extending between the top
1431 and the bottom 1433. The side wall 1435 has a groove 14351.
The top 1431 of the component 143 has a groove 14311. The bottom
1433 of the component 143 has a groove 14331.
The side wall 1435 includes a partition 1432. The partition 1432
includes a segment 14321 and a segment 14322, one end of the
segment 14321 being directly connected to one end of the segment
14322. The other end of the segment 14321 and one side 14353 of the
groove 14351 form a gap 14355. The other end of the segment 14322
and the other side 14354 of the groove 14351 form a gap 14356. In
some embodiments, an angle between the segment 14321 and the
segment 14322 is between 90 degrees to 180 degrees. In some
embodiments, an angle between the segment 14321 and the segment
14322 is between 90 degrees to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, an
angle between the segment 14321 and the segment 14322 is between
120 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle between
the segment 14321 and the segment 14322 is between 150 degrees to
180 degrees. In some embodiments, the segment 14321 and the segment
14322 form a V shape with an opening upward (for example, a
vertically upward direction shown in FIG. 5B).
The side wall 1435 of the component 143 further includes a
partition 1434. The second partition 1434 includes a segment 14341
and a segment 14342. A gap 14358 is formed between the segment
14341 and the segment 14342. There is an angle between the segment
14341 and the segment 14342. In some embodiments, the angle between
the segment 14341 and the segment 14342 may be different from the
angle between the segment 14321 and the segment 14322. In some
embodiments, the angle between the segment 14341 and the segment
14342 may be the same as the angle between the segment 14321 and
the segment 14322. In some embodiments, the segment 14341 and the
segment 14342 form an inverted V shape with an opening downward
(for example, a vertically downward direction shown in FIG.
5B).
When the component 143 covers the heating component 15, at least
one cavity (or referred to as a ventilation channel) is defined
among the partition 1432, the partition 1434, the groove 14351, and
the heating component 15. In particular, a ventilation channel
14301 (as shown in FIG. 5D) may be defined among the groove 14331,
the gap 14358, the gap 14355, and the groove 14311. A vaporization
chamber 153 may be in fluid communication with a storage chamber
(the storage chamber 132 shown in FIG. 4) through the ventilation
channel 14301. A ventilation channel 14302 (as shown in FIG. 5D)
may be defined among the groove 14331, the gap 14358, the gap
14356, and the groove 14311. A vaporization chamber 153 may be in
fluid communication with a storage chamber (the storage chamber 132
shown in FIG. 4) through the ventilation channel 14302.
As a user continues to use a vaporization device, a vaporizable
material in the storage chamber 132 is continuously consumed and
reduced so that a pressure in the storage chamber 132 is gradually
reduced. If the pressure in the storage chamber 132 is reduced, a
negative pressure may be generated. If the pressure in the storage
chamber 132 is reduced, the vaporizable material (for example,
tobacco tar) may be unlikely to flow into a cavity 155 of the
heating component 15 through passages 1421 and 1422. When the
cavity 155 does not completely absorb the vaporizable material, the
high-temperature heating component 15 may burn drily and generate a
scorched smell.
The foregoing situations can be improved by disposing a ventilation
channel in the side wall of the component 143. The ventilation
channel (a flowing direction shown by arrows in FIG. 5D) formed in
the side wall of the component 143 may balance the pressure in the
storage chamber 132.
As described above, the cartridge 1 further includes a tar
absorbing pad 151 located below the heating component 15. The tar
absorbing pad 151 may be configured to absorb tobacco tar that may
leak (see FIG. 1A). However, when the user inhales, air passes
through the passage P1 as shown in FIG. 3. When the air passes
through the vaporization chamber 153, vaporized tobacco tar is
mixed with cold air to condense the vaporized tobacco tar, and
tobacco tar incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 151 may
spill out of the cartridge 1. In order to prevent the tobacco tar
incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 151 from spilling
out, the heating base 16 in some embodiments of this application
further includes a tar absorbing pad 165 (see FIG. 6A). The tar
absorbing pad 165 is disposed at an opposite end of one end at
which a hole 161 is located (see FIG. 6B). A material of the tar
absorbing pad 165 is macromolecule cotton, but may be selected
according to an actual situation and is not limited thereto.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge 2 according to some embodiments of this
application. The cartridge 2 includes a mouthpiece (mouthpiece) 21,
a cap 22, a housing 23, a top cap 24, a heating component 25, a
heating base 26, a tube 27, an ejector pin 28, a printed circuit
board (PCB) module 29 and a bottom cap 20. In some embodiments, the
heating component 25 and the heating base 26 may form a heating
assembly in some embodiments of this application. In some
embodiments, the heating component 25, the ejector pin 28, and the
PCB module 29 form a heating circuit in some embodiments of this
application. In some embodiments, a resistor (not shown) indicating
taste information of the cartridge 2 is disposed on the PCB module
29. In some embodiments, an encryption chip (not shown) is further
disposed on the PCB module 29.
In some embodiments of this application, the cartridge 2 further
includes a tar absorbing pad 251 located below the heating
component 25. The tar absorbing pad 251 may be configured to absorb
tobacco tar that may leak. A material of the tar absorbing pad 251
is macromolecule cotton, but may be selected according to an actual
situation and is not limited thereto. Both sides of the tar
absorbing pad 251 are provided with through holes or openings, the
through holes or openings wrapping an outer wall of an upper half
portion of the ejector pin 28.
The heating base 26 includes a hole 261, two holes 262, and a
plurality of holes 263. The hole 261 is configured to accommodate
the tube 27. When the cartridge 2 is assembled, the PCB module 29
is separated from the tube 27, and the PCB module 29 is not in
direct contact with the tube 27. The two holes 262 are respectively
configured to accommodate one ejector pin 28. Through the plurality
of holes 263, the tube 27 may be in fluid communication with space
in which a lower surface of the heating component 25, the tar
absorbing pad 251, and the ejector pin 28 are located.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 21 has a hole 211, the cap 22
has a hole 221, and the housing 23 has a hole 231. When the
mouthpiece 21, the cap 22, and the housing 23 are engaged with each
other, the hole 211, the hole 221, and the hole 231 are in fluid
communication with each other. A user may inhale gas containing a
vaporized substance (for example, tobacco tar) from the hole 211 of
the mouthpiece 21.
Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in some embodiments, the top cap
24 has a component 241, a component 242, and a component 243. The
component 243 may be a heating sealing element. In some
embodiments, the component 241, the component 242, and the
component 243 are made of different materials. In some embodiments,
the component 241 and the component 243 may be made of a same
material. In some embodiments, the component 242 is made of a
material different from that of the component 241 and the component
243.
The component 241 may be made of silica gel. The component 243 may
be made of silica gel. The component 242 may be made of plastics.
Material hardness of the component 242 may be higher than that of
the component 241. Material hardness of the component 242 may be
higher than that of the component 243.
The material hardness of the component 242 may be within a range
from 65 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 242 may be within a range from 75 A to 85 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 242
may be within a range from 85 A to 90 A of a Shore hardness type A.
The material hardness of the component 241 may be within a range
from 20 A to 40 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 241 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 241
may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type A.
The material hardness of the component 243 may be within a range
from 20 A to 40 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 243 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 243
may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type
A.
The component 241, the component 242, and the component 243 of the
top cap 24 may be combined together by later assembly. Therefore,
assembly misalignment and a part tolerance problem may occur among
the component 241, the component 242, and the component 243,
further leading to a leakage risk (for example, tobacco tar
leakage). A bonding force between the component 241 and the
component 242 tends to be 0 N (that is, 0 Newton). A bonding force
between the component 243 and the component 242 tends to be 0 N.
For example, the mutually combined component 241 and the component
242 may be easily separated. The mutually combined component 242
and the component 243 may be easily separated.
When the component 241 is engaged with the component 242, the
component 241 surrounds a portion of the component 242. When the
component 242 is engaged with the component 243, a portion of the
component 242 surrounds the component 243.
When the top cap 24 is engaged with the housing 23, an inner
surface of the housing 23 surrounds the component 241. When the top
cap 24 is engaged with the heating component 25, the component 243
surrounds the heating component 25.
In some embodiments, an upper surface of the heating component 25
includes a groove. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the
heating component 25 has two pins, each of the two pins of the
heating component 25 being coupled with a corresponding ejector pin
28. The ejector pin 28 may be coupled with the PCB module 29.
FIG. 8A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component 241 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 8B is a schematic top view of a top cap component 241
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 8C is a
schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a top cap
component 241 according to some embodiments of this application. As
shown in FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C, the component 241 has a
through hole 2411 penetrating through a body of the component 241.
Referring to FIG. 8C, FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8B
taken along a line A-A. The through hole 2411 has two opposite
inner walls: 2412 and 2413. A baffle 2415 extends substantially
horizontally from the inner wall 2412 at an upper edge about of the
inner wall 2412. A baffle 2417 extends substantially horizontally
from the inner wall 2413 at a lower edge about of the inner wall
2413. It further indicates that the baffle 2415 is disposed
substantially horizontally at an opening 24111 of the through hole
2411 and protrudes from the inner wall 2412 while the baffle 2417
is disposed substantially horizontally at an opening 24112 of the
through hole 2411 and protrudes from the inner wall 2413. In this
way, the baffles 2415 and 2417 are configured to form a circuitous
channel like a Z shape in the through hole 2411. A vertical
projection of the baffle 2415 does not overlap with the baffle
2417.
FIG. 9A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component 242 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 9B is a schematic top view of a top cap component 242
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 9C is a
schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a top cap
component 242 according to some embodiments of this application. As
shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C, the component 242 has two
through holes: 2421 and 2422 each penetrating through a body of the
component 242. Referring to FIG. 9C, FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional
view of FIG. 9B taken along a line B-B. The through hole 2421 has
an upper opening 24211 and a lower opening 24212. The through hole
2422 has an upper opening 24221 and a lower opening 24222.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge 2 according to some embodiments of this application. A
housing 23 includes a storage chamber 232. The storage chamber 232
is configured to store a to-be-vaporized fluid substance, such as
tobacco tar. A top cap 24 (including a component 241, a component
242, and a component 243) is engaged with the housing 23. In some
embodiments, the housing 23 and the top cap 24 define the storage
chamber 232. When the top cap 24 is engaged with the housing 23, an
inner surface of the housing 23 surrounds the component 241 of the
top cap 24. In some embodiments, the housing 23 defines the storage
chamber 232. When the top cap 24 is engaged with the housing 23, an
inner surface of the storage chamber 232 surrounds the component
241 of the top cap 24. The top cap 24 (including the component 241,
the component 242, and the component 243) is engaged with a heating
component 25. When the top cap 24 is engaged with the heating
component 25, the component 243 of the top cap 24 surrounds the
heating component 25.
The component 241 of the top cap 24 has a through hole 2411, while
the component 242 has through holes 2421 and 2422. An upper surface
of the heating component 25 has a groove. The component 242 and the
upper surface of the heating component 25 define a cavity 255.
The storage chamber 232 is in fluid communication with the through
hole 2411. The through hole 2411 is in fluid communication with a
through hole 2421 and a through hole 2422. The through hole 2411 is
in fluid communication with a cavity 255 through the through holes
2421 and 2422. Therefore, the storage chamber 232, the through hole
2411, and the through holes 2421 and 2422 are in fluid
communication with the cavity 255. A ratio of the cross-sectional
area of the through hole 2421 or 2422 to the cross-sectional area
of the storage chamber 232 is substantially from 1:15 to 1:20.
Further, a cross-sectional diameter of the through hole 2421 or
2422 is about 1.7 mm.
The heating component 25 includes two pins 252. The pins 252 are
coupled with an ejector pin 28. A tube 27 extends from a bottom cap
20 toward the heating component 25. The tube 27 includes two ends.
The two ends of the tube 27 each have an opening 271 and an opening
272. The tube 27 extends and partially penetrates through a heating
base 26. A hole 261 (as shown in FIG. 7A) of the heating base 26
accommodates the tube 27. The opening 271 of the tube 27 defines an
opening on a bottom surface of the heating base 26. The opening 271
of the tube 27 is exposed on the bottom surface of the heating base
26. The heating base 26 includes the opening 271 of the tube 27. A
through hole 201 of the bottom cap 20 exposes the opening 271. The
opening 271 and the opening 272 of the tube 27 are in fluid
communication with the outside.
A dashed arrow in FIG. 10 shows an outlet passage P2 of a cartridge
2. Outside fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening 271 of the
tube 27, passes through the tube 27, and flows out from the opening
272 of the tube 27. The air flowing out from the opening 272 of the
tube 27 passes through a plurality of holes 263 (as shown in FIG.
7B) of the heating base 26 and flows to a vaporization chamber 253.
The vaporization chamber 253 is defined by a lower portion of the
heating component 25, the pins 252, and the ejector pin 28. The
lower portion of the heating component 25 is exposed in the
vaporization chamber 253. Aerial fog generated by heating of the
heating component 25 is mixed with air, and the aerial fog mixed
with air flows through a passage 233 of the housing 23 to a hole
231 (as shown in FIG. 7A) of the housing 23 and a hole 221 (as
shown in FIG. 7A) of a cap 22, and then flows to a hole 211 of a
mouthpiece 21 to be sucked by a user.
When the cartridge 2 is used, tobacco tar stored in the storage
chamber 232 may first flows into the cavity 255 through the through
hole 2411 of the component 241 and the through hole 2421 or 2422 of
the component 242. Subsequently, the heating component 25 may start
heating the tobacco tar flowing into the cavity 255. When the
tobacco tar in the cavity 255 is heated, aerial fog is generated. A
portion of the aerial fog enters the passage 233 of the housing 23
along with air entering from the outside to further enter the hole
221 of the cap 22 and the hole 211 of the mouthpiece 21, so that
the portion of the aerial fog is sucked by the user. However, if a
flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from the storage chamber
232 to the cavity 255 is too fast, an excessive amount of tobacco
tar flows into the cavity 255. In this way, it is likely to cause
situations such as tar leakage of the cartridge, a burnt smell, or
no smoke. Therefore, some embodiments of this application provide
the through hole 2411 of the component 241 and the through holes
2421 and 2422 of the component 242. The through hole 2411 of the
component 241 and the through holes 2421 and 2422 of the component
242 are configured to suppress a flow rate at which the tobacco tar
flows from the storage chamber 232 to the cavity 255, to prevent
the excessive amount of tobacco tar from flowing into the cavity
255. Therefore, the above technical problems can be resolved.
As described above, when the heating component 25 may start heating
the tobacco tar flowing into the cavity 255, a portion of smoke
produced by the tobacco tar enters the passage 233 of the housing
23 along with air entering from the outside, while another portion
of the smoke becomes a bubble that flows into the through hole 2411
of the component 241 through the through holes 2421 and 2422 of the
component 242 (see an arrow f4). When the bubble formed by the
portion of the smoke flows into the through hole 2411, baffles 2415
and 2417 of the through hole 2411 are configured to form a Z-shaped
circuitous path in the through hole 2411. Due to the Z-shaped
circuitous path formed in the through hole 2411, the bubble needs
to travel a longer path to pass through the through hole 2411 and
further enter the storage chamber 232 (see an arrow f5). In this
way, the bubble spends more time staying in the through hole 2411.
Similarly, the tobacco tar flowing from the storage chamber 232 to
the cavity also needs to pass through the Z-shaped circuitous path
of the through hole 2411. In this way, the tobacco tar also travels
a longer path to pass through the through hole 2411, further flows
into the through holes 2421 and 2422 of the component 242, and
further flows into the cavity 255 (see an arrow f6). Therefore, a
flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from the storage chamber
232 to the cavity 255 through the components 241 and 242 is
reduced. Further, the bubble spends more time staying in the
through hole 2411, and the bubble staying in the through hole 2411
partially prevents the tobacco tar from passing through the through
hole 2411, which further reduces the flow rate at which the tobacco
tar passes through the through hole 2411. Based on the foregoing,
the baffles 2415 and 2417 of the through hole 2411 can effectively
reduce a flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from the storage
chamber 232 to the cavity 255 through the components 241 and
242.
In the foregoing way, the flow rate at which the tobacco tar in the
storage chamber 232 flows to the cavity 255 can be effectively
suppressed to prevent the excessive amount of tobacco tar from
flowing into the cavity 255.
FIG. 11A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 11B is a
schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap component according
to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 11C is a partial
cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge according to some
embodiments of this application. FIG. 11D is a schematic diagram of
a side wall of a top cap component according to some embodiments of
this application.
As described above, the component 243 may be a sealing element. As
shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C, the component 243 has a
top 2431, a bottom 2433, and a side wall 2435 extending between the
top 2431 and the bottom 2433. The side wall 2435 has a groove
24351. The top 2431 of the component 243 has a groove 24311. The
bottom 2433 of the component 243 has a groove 24331.
The side wall 2435 includes a partition 2432. The partition 2432
includes a segment 24321 and a segment 24322, one end of the
segment 24321 being directly connected to one end of the segment
24322. The other end of the segment 24321 and one side 24353 of the
groove 24351 form a gap 24355. The other end of the segment 24322
and the other side 24354 of the groove 24351 form a gap 24356. In
some embodiments, an angle between the segment 24321 and the
segment 24322 is between 90 degrees to 180 degrees. In some
embodiments, an angle between the segment 24321 and the segment
24322 is between 90 degrees to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, an
angle between the segment 23421 and the segment 24322 is between
120 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle between
the segment 24321 and the segment 24322 is between 150 degrees to
180 degrees. In some embodiments, the segment 24321 and the segment
24322 form a V shape with an opening upward (for example, a
vertically upward direction shown in FIG. 11B).
The side wall 2435 of the component 243 further includes a
partition 2434. The partition 2434 includes a segment 24341 and a
segment 24342. A gap 24358 is formed between the segment 24341 and
the segment 24342. There is an angle between the segment 24341 and
the segment 24342. In some embodiments, the angle between the
segment 24341 and the segment 24342 may be different from the angle
between the segment 24321 and the segment 24322. In some
embodiments, the angle between the segment 24341 and the segment
24342 may be the same as the angle between the segment 24321 and
the segment 24322. In some embodiments, the segment 24341 and the
segment 24342 form an inverted V shape with an opening downward
(for example, a vertically downward direction shown in FIG.
11B).
When the component 243 covers the heating component 25, at least
one cavity (or referred to as a ventilation channel) is defined
among the partition 2432, the partition 2434, the groove 24351, and
the heating component 25. In particular, a ventilation channel
24301 (as shown in FIG. 11D) may be defined among the groove 24331,
the gap 24358, the gap 24355, and the groove 24311. A vaporization
chamber 253 may be in fluid communication with a storage chamber
(the storage chamber 232 shown in FIG. 10) through the ventilation
channel 24301. A ventilation channel 24302 (as shown in FIG. 11D)
may be defined among the groove 24331, the gap 24358, the gap
24356, and the groove 24311. A vaporization chamber 253 may be in
fluid communication with a storage chamber (the storage chamber 232
shown in FIG. 10) through the ventilation channel 24302.
As a user continues to use a vaporization device, a vaporizable
material in the storage chamber 232 is continuously consumed and
reduced so that a pressure in the storage chamber 232 is gradually
reduced. If the pressure in the storage chamber 232 is reduced, a
negative pressure may be generated. If the pressure in the storage
chamber 232 is reduced, the vaporizable material (for example,
tobacco tar) may be unlikely to flow into a cavity 255 of the
heating component 25 through passages 2421 and 2422. When the
cavity 255 does not completely absorb the vaporizable material, the
high-temperature heating component 25 may burn drily and generate a
scorched smell.
The foregoing situations can be improved by disposing a ventilation
channel in the side wall of the component 243. The ventilation
channel (a flowing direction shown by arrows in FIG. 11D) formed in
the side wall of the component 243 may balance pressure in the
storage chamber 232.
As described above, the cartridge 2 further includes a tar
absorbing pad 251 located below the heating component 25. The tar
absorbing pad 251 may be configured to absorb tobacco tar that may
leak (see FIG. 7A). However, when the user inhales, air passes
through the passage P2 as shown in FIG. 10. When the air passes
through the vaporization chamber 253, vaporized tobacco tar is
mixed with cold air, which may condense the vaporized tobacco tar,
and tobacco tar incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 251
may spill out of the cartridge 2. In order to prevent the tobacco
tar incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 251 from
spilling out, the heating base 26 in some embodiments of this
application further includes a tar absorbing pad 265 (see FIG.
12A). The tar absorbing pad 265 is disposed at an opposite end of
one end at which an opposite hole 261 is located (see FIG. 12B). A
material of the tar absorbing pad 265 is macromolecule cotton, but
may be selected according to an actual situation and is not limited
thereto.
FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are schematic diagrams of disassembled
structures of a cartridge 3 according to some embodiments of this
application. The cartridge 3 includes a mouthpiece (mouthpiece) 31,
a cap 32, a housing 33, a top cap 34, a heating component 35, a
heating base 36, a tube 37, an ejector pin 38, a printed circuit
board (PCB) module 39 and a bottom cap 30. In some embodiments, the
heating component 35 and the heating base 36 may form a heating
assembly in some embodiments of this application. In some
embodiments, the heating component 35, the ejector pin 38, and the
PCB module 39 form a heating circuit in some embodiments of this
application. In some embodiments, a resistor (not shown) indicating
taste information of the cartridge 3 is disposed on the PCB module
39. In some embodiments, an encryption chip (not shown) is further
disposed on the PCB module 39.
In some embodiments of this application, the cartridge 3 further
includes a tar absorbing pad 351 located below the heating
component 35. The tar absorbing pad 351 may be configured to absorb
tobacco tar that may leak. A material of the tar absorbing pad 351
is macromolecule cotton, but may be selected according to an actual
situation and is not limited thereto. Both sides of the tar
absorbing pad 351 are provided with through holes or openings, the
through holes or openings wrapping an outer wall of an upper half
portion of the ejector pin 351.
The heating base 36 includes a hole 361, two holes 362, and a
plurality of holes 363. The hole 361 is configured to accommodate
the tube 37. When the cartridge 3 is assembled, the PCB module 39
is separated from the tube 37, and the PCB module 39 is not in
direct contact with the tube 37. The two holes 362 are respectively
configured to accommodate one ejector pin 38. Through the plurality
of holes 363, the tube 37 may be in fluid communication with space
in which a lower surface of the heating component 35, the tar
absorbing pad 351, and the ejector pin 38 are located.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 31 has a hole 311, the cap 32
has a hole 321, and the housing 33 has a hole 331. When the
mouthpiece 31, the cap 32, and the housing 33 are engaged with each
other, the hole 311, the hole 321, and the hole 331 are in fluid
communication with each other. A user may inhale gas containing a
vaporized substance (for example, tobacco tar) from the hole 311 of
the mouthpiece 31.
Referring to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, in some embodiments, the top
cap 34 has a component 341, a component 342, and a component 343.
The component 343 may be a heating sealing element. In some
embodiments, the component 341, the component 342, and the
component 343 are made of different materials. In some embodiments,
the component 341 and the component 343 may be made of a same
material. In some embodiments, the component 342 is made of a
material different from that of the component 341 and the component
343.
The component 341 may be made of silica gel. The component 343 may
be made of silica gel. The component 342 may be made of plastics.
Material hardness of the component 342 may be higher than that of
the component 341. Material hardness of the component 342 may be
higher than that of the component 343.
The material hardness of the component 342 may be within a range
from 65 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 342 may be within a range from 75 A to 85 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 342
may be within a range from 85 A to 90 A of a Shore hardness type A.
The material hardness of the component 341 may be within a range
from 20 A to 40 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 341 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 341
may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type A.
The material hardness of the component 343 may be within a range
from 20 A to 40 A of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness
of the component 343 may be within a range from 40 A to 60 A of a
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the component 343
may be within a range from 60 A to 75 A of a Shore hardness type
A.
The component 341, the component 342, and the component 343 of the
top cap 34 may be combined together by later assembly. Therefore,
assembly misalignment and a part tolerance problem may occur among
the component 341, the component 342, and the component 343,
further leading to a leakage risk (for example, tobacco tar
leakage). A bonding force between the component 341 and the
component 342 tends to be 0 N (that is, 0 Newton). A bonding force
between the component 343 and the component 342 tends to be 0 N.
For example, the mutually combined component 341 and the component
342 may be easily separated. The mutually combined component 342
and the component 343 may be easily separated.
When the component 341 is engaged with the component 342, the
component 341 surrounds a portion of the component 342. When the
component 342 is engaged with the component 343, a portion of the
component 342 surrounds the component 343.
When the top cap 34 is engaged with the housing 33, an inner
surface of the housing 33 surrounds the component 341. When the top
cap 34 is engaged with the heating component 35, the component 343
surrounds the heating component 35.
In some embodiments, an upper surface of the heating component 35
includes a groove. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the
heating component 35 has two pins, each of the two pins of the
heating component 35 being coupled with a corresponding ejector pin
38. The ejector pin 38 may be coupled with the PCB module 39.
FIG. 14A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component 341 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 14B is a schematic top view of a top cap component 341
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 14C is a
schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a top cap
component 341 according to some embodiments of this application. As
shown in FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, and FIG. 14C, the component 341 has a
through hole 3411 penetrating through a body of the component 341.
Referring to FIG. 14C, FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
14B taken along a line A-A. The through hole 3411 has two opposite
inner walls: 3412 and 3413. A baffle 3415 extends substantially
horizontally from the inner wall 3412 at an upper edge about of the
inner wall 3412. A baffle 3417 extends substantially horizontally
from the inner wall 3413 at a lower edge about of the inner wall
3413. It further indicates that the baffle 3415 is disposed
substantially horizontally at an opening 34111 of the through hole
3411 and protrudes from the inner wall 3412 while the baffle 3417
is disposed substantially horizontally at an opening 34112 of the
through hole 3411 and protrudes from the inner wall 3413. In this
case, the baffles 3415 and 3417 are configured to form a circuitous
channel like a Z shape in the through hole 3411. A vertical
projection of the baffle 3415 at least partially overlaps with the
baffle 3417.
FIG. 15A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a top cap
component 342 according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 15B is a schematic top view of a top cap component 342
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 15C is a
schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a top cap
component 342 according to some embodiments of this application. As
shown in FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15C, the component 342 has
two through holes: 3421 and 3422 each penetrating through a body of
the component 342. Referring to FIG. 15C, FIG. 15C is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 15B taken along a line B-B. The
through hole 3421 has an upper opening 34211 and a lower opening
34212. The through hole 3422 has an upper opening 34221 and a lower
opening 34222.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a
cartridge 3 according to some embodiments of this application. A
housing 33 includes a storage chamber 332. The storage chamber 332
is configured to store a to-be-vaporized fluid substance, such as
tobacco tar. A top cap 34 (including a component 341, a component
342 and a component 343) is engaged with the housing 33. In some
embodiments, the housing 33 and the top cap 34 define the storage
chamber 332. When the top cap 34 is engaged with the housing 33, an
inner surface of the housing 33 surrounds the component 341 of the
top cap 34. In some embodiments, the housing 33 defines the storage
chamber 332. When the top cap 34 is engaged with the housing 33, an
inner surface of the storage chamber 332 surrounds the component
341 of the top cap 34. The top cap 34 (including the component 341,
the component 342 and the component 343) is engaged with a heating
component 35. When the top cap 34 is engaged with the heating
component 35, the component 343 of the top cap 34 surrounds the
heating component 35.
The component 341 of the top cap 34 has a through hole 3411, while
the component 342 has through holes 3421 and 3422. An upper surface
of the heating component 35 has a groove. The component 342 and the
upper surface of the heating component 35 define a cavity 355.
The storage chamber 332 is in fluid communication with the through
hole 3411. The through hole 3411 is in fluid communication with a
through hole 3421 and a through hole 3422. The through hole 3411 is
in fluid communication with a cavity 355 through the through holes
3421 and 3422. Therefore, the storage chamber 332, the through hole
3411, and the through holes 3421 and 3422 are in fluid
communication with the cavity 355. A ratio of the cross-sectional
area of the through hole 3421 or 3422 to the cross-sectional area
of the storage chamber 332 is substantially from 1:15 to 1:20.
Further, a cross-sectional diameter of the through hole 3421 or
3422 is about 1.7 mm.
The heating component 35 includes two pins 352. The pins 352 are
coupled with an ejector pin 38. A tube 37 extends from a bottom cap
30 toward the heating component 35. The tube 37 includes two ends.
The two ends of the tube 37 each have an opening 371 and an opening
372. The tube 37 extends and partially penetrates through a heating
base 36. A hole 361 (as shown in FIG. 13A) of the heating base 36
accommodates the tube 37. The opening 371 of the tube 37 defines an
opening on a bottom surface of the heating base 36. The opening 371
of the tube 37 is exposed on the bottom surface of the heating base
36. The heating base 36 includes the opening 371 of the tube 37. A
through hole 301 of the bottom cap 30 exposes the opening 371. The
opening 371 and the opening 372 of the tube 37 are in fluid
communication with the outside.
A dashed arrow in FIG. 16 shows an outlet passage P3 of a cartridge
3. Outside fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening 371 of the
tube 37, passes through the tube 37, and flows out from the opening
372 of the tube 37. The air flowing out from the opening 372 of the
tube 37 passes through a plurality of holes 363 (as shown in FIG.
13B) of the heating base 36 and flows to a vaporization chamber
353. The vaporization chamber 353 is defined by a lower portion of
the heating component 35, the pins 352, and the ejector pin 38. The
lower portion of the heating component 35 is exposed in the
vaporization chamber 353. Aerial fog generated by heating of the
heating component 35 is mixed with air, and the aerial fog mixed
with air flows through a passage 333 of the housing 33 to a hole
331 (as shown in FIG. 13A) of the housing 33 and a hole 321 (as
shown in FIG. 13A) of a cap 32, and then flows to a hole 311 of a
mouthpiece 31 to be sucked by a user.
When the cartridge 3 is used, tobacco tar stored in the storage
chamber 332 may first flows into the cavity 355 through the through
hole 3411 of the component 241 and the through hole 3421 or 3422 of
the component 342. Subsequently, the heating component 35 may start
heating the tobacco tar flowing into the cavity 355. When the
tobacco tar in the cavity 355 is heated, aerial fog is generated. A
portion of the aerial fog enters the passage 333 of the housing 33
along with air entering from the outside to further enter the hole
321 of the cap 32 and the hole 311 of the mouthpiece 31, so that
the portion of the aerial fog is sucked by the user. However, if a
flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from the storage chamber
332 to the cavity 355 is too fast, an excessive amount of tobacco
tar flows into the cavity 355. In this way, it is likely to cause
situations such as tar leakage of the cartridge, a burnt smell, or
no smoke. Therefore, some embodiments of this application provide
the through hole 3411 of the component 341 and the through holes
3421 and 3422 of the component 342. The through hole 3411 of the
component 341 and the through holes 3421 and 3422 of the component
342 are configured to suppress a flow rate at which the tobacco tar
flows from the storage chamber 332 to the cavity 355, to prevent
the excessive amount of tobacco tar from flowing into the cavity
355. Therefore, the above technical problems can be resolved.
As described above, when the heating component 35 may start heating
the tobacco tar flowing into the cavity 355, a portion of smoke
produced by the tobacco tar enters the passage 333 of the housing
33 along with air entering from the outside, while another portion
of the smoke becomes a bubble that flows to the through hole 3411
of the component 341 through the through holes 3421 and 3422 of the
component 342 (see an arrow f7). When the bubble formed by the
portion of the smoke flows into the through hole 3411, baffles 3415
and 3417 of the through hole 3411 are configured to form a Z-shaped
circuitous path in the through hole 3411. Due to the Z-shaped
circuitous path formed in the through hole 3411, the bubble needs
to travel a longer path to pass through the through hole 3411 and
further enter the storage chamber 332 (see an arrow f8). In this
way, the bubble spends more time staying in the through hole 3411.
Similarly, the tobacco tar flowing from the storage chamber 332
into the cavity also needs to pass through the Z-shaped circuitous
path of the through hole 3411. In this way, the tobacco tar also
travels a longer path to pass through the through hole 3411,
further flows to the through holes 3421 and 3422 of the component
342 (see an arrow f9), and further flows into the cavity 355.
Therefore, a flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from the
storage chamber 332 to the cavity 355 through the components 341
and 342 is reduced. Further, the bubble spends more time staying in
the through hole 3411, and the bubble staying in the through hole
3411 partially prevents the tobacco tar from passing through the
through hole 3411, which further reduces the flow rate at which the
tobacco tar passes through the through hole 3411. Based on the
foregoing, the baffles 3415 and 3417 of the through hole 3411 can
effectively reduce a flow rate at which the tobacco tar flows from
the storage chamber 332 to the cavity 355 through the components
341 and 342.
In the foregoing way, the flow rate at which the tobacco tar in the
storage chamber 332 flows to the cavity 355 can be effectively
suppressed to prevent the excessive amount of tobacco tar from
flowing into the cavity 355.
FIG. 17A is a three-dimensional view of a top cap component
according to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 17B is a
schematic diagram of a side wall of a top cap component according
to some embodiments of this application. FIG. 17C is a partial
cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge according to some
embodiments of this application. FIG. 17D is a schematic diagram of
a side wall of a top cap component according to some embodiments of
this application.
As described above, the component 343 may be a sealing element. As
shown in FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, and FIG. 17C, the component 343 has a
top 3431, a bottom 3433, and a side wall 3435 extending between the
top 3431 and the bottom 3433. The side wall 3435 has a groove
34351. The top 3431 of the component 343 has a groove 34311. The
bottom 3433 of the component 343 has a groove 34331.
The side wall 3435 includes a partition 3432. The partition 3432
includes a segment 34321 and a segment 34322, one end of the
segment 34321 being directly connected to one end of the segment
34322. The other end of the segment 34321 and one side 34353 of the
groove 34351 form a gap 34355. The other end of the segment 34322
and the other side 34354 of the groove 34351 form a gap 34356. In
some embodiments, an angle between the segment 34321 and the
segment 34322 is between 90 degrees to 180 degrees. In some
embodiments, an angle between the segment 34321 and the segment
34322 is between 90 degrees to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, an
angle between the segment 33421 and the segment 34322 is between
120 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle between
the segment 34321 and the segment 34322 is between 150 degrees to
180 degrees. In some embodiments, the segment 34321 and the segment
34322 form a V shape with an opening upward (for example, a
vertically upward direction shown in FIG. 17B).
The side wall 3435 of the component 343 further includes a
partition 3434. The second partition 3434 includes a segment 34341
and a segment 34342. A gap 34358 is formed between the segment
34341 and the segment 34342. There is an angle between the segment
34341 and the segment 34342. In some embodiments, the angle between
the segment 34341 and the segment 34342 may be different from the
angle between the segment 34321 and the segment 34322. In some
embodiments, the angle between the segment 34341 and the segment
34342 may be the same as the angle between the segment 34321 and
the segment 34322. In some embodiments, the segment 34341 and the
segment 34342 form an inverted V shape with an opening downward
(for example, a vertically downward direction shown in FIG.
17B).
When the component 343 covers the heating component 35, at least
one cavity (or referred to as a ventilation channel) is defined
among the partition 3432, the partition 3434, the groove 34351, and
the heating component 35. In particular, a ventilation channel
34301 (as shown in FIG. 17D) may be defined among the groove 34331,
the gap 34358, the gap 34355, and the groove 34311. A vaporization
chamber 353 may be in fluid communication with a storage chamber
(the storage chamber 332 shown in FIG. 16) through the ventilation
channel 34301. A ventilation channel 34302 (as shown in FIG. 17D)
may be defined among the groove 34331, the gap 34358, the gap
34356, and the groove 34311. A vaporization chamber 353 may be in
fluid communication with a storage chamber (the storage chamber 332
shown in FIG. 16) through the ventilation channel 34302.
As a user continues to use a vaporization device, a vaporizable
material in the storage chamber 332 is continuously consumed and
reduced so that a pressure in the storage chamber 332 is gradually
reduced. If the pressure in the storage chamber 332 is reduced, a
negative pressure may be generated. If the pressure in the storage
chamber 332 is reduced, the vaporizable material (for example,
tobacco tar) may be unlikely to flow into a cavity 355 of the
heating component 35 through passages 3421 and 3422. When the
cavity 355 does not completely absorb the vaporizable material, the
high-temperature heating component 35 may burn drily and generate a
scorched smell.
The foregoing situations can be improved by disposing a ventilation
channel in the side wall of the component 343. The ventilation
channel (a flowing direction shown by arrows in FIG. 17D) formed in
the side wall of the component 343 may balance a pressure in the
storage chamber 332.
As described above, the cartridge 3 further includes a tar
absorbing pad 351 located below the heating component 35. The tar
absorbing pad 351 may be configured to absorb tobacco tar that may
leak (see FIG. 13A). However, when the user inhales, air passes
through the passage P3 as shown in FIG. 16. When the air passes
through the vaporization chamber 353, vaporized tobacco tar is
mixed with cold air, which may condense the vaporized tobacco tar,
and tobacco tar incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 351
may spill out of the cartridge 3. In order to prevent the tobacco
tar incompletely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 351 from
spilling out, the heating base 36 in some embodiments of this
application further includes a tar absorbing pad 365 (see FIG.
18A). The tar absorbing pad 365 is disposed at an opposite end of
one end at which an opposite hole 361 is located (see FIG. 18B). A
material of the tar absorbing pad 365 is macromolecule cotton, but
may be selected according to an actual situation and is not limited
thereto.
References throughout the specification to "some embodiments,"
"partial embodiments," "one embodiment," "another example,"
"example," "specific example" or "partial examples" mean that at
least one embodiment or example of the application comprises
specific features, structures, or characteristics described in the
embodiments or examples. Thus, the descriptions appear throughout
the specification, such as "in some embodiments," "in an
embodiment," "in one embodiment," "in another example," "in an
example," "in a particular example" or "for example," are not
necessarily the same embodiment or example in the application.
As used herein, space-related terms such as "under", "below",
"lower portion", "above", "upper portion", "lower portion", "left
side", "right side", and the like may be used herein to simply
describe a relationship between one component or feature and
another component or feature as shown in the figures. In addition
to orientation shown in the figures, space-related terms are
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation. An apparatus may be oriented in other ways (rotated
90 degrees or at other orientations), and the space-related
descriptors used herein may also be used for explanation
accordingly. It should be understood that when a component is
"connected" or "coupled" to another component, the component may be
directly connected to or coupled to another component, or an
intermediate component may exist.
As used herein, the terms "approximately", "substantially",
"basically", and "about" are used to describe and explain small
variations. When used in combination with an event or a situation,
the terms may refer to an example in which an event or a situation
occurs accurately and an example in which the event or situation
occurs approximately. As used herein with respect to a given value
or range, the term "about" generally means in the range of .+-.10%,
.+-.5%, .+-.1%, or .+-.0.5% of the given value or range. The range
may be indicated herein as from one endpoint to another endpoint or
between two endpoints. Unless otherwise specified, all ranges
disclosed herein include endpoints. The term "substantially
coplanar" may refer to two surfaces within a few micrometers
(.mu.m) positioned along the same plane, for example, within 10
.mu.m, within 5 .mu.m, within 1 .mu.m, or within 0.5 .mu.m located
along the same plane. When reference is made to "substantially" the
same numerical value or characteristic, the term may refer to a
value within .+-.10%, .+-.5%, .+-.1%, or .+-.0.5% of the average of
the values.
As used herein, the terms "approximately", "substantially",
"basically", and "about" are used to describe and explain small
variations. When used in combination with an event or a situation,
the terms may refer to an example in which an event or a situation
occurs accurately and an example in which the event or situation
occurs approximately. For example, when being used in combination
with a value, the term may refer to a variation range of less than
or equal to .+-.10% of the value, for example, less than or equal
to .+-.5%, less than or equal to .+-.4%, less than or equal to
.+-.3%, less than or equal to .+-.2%, less than or equal to .+-.1%,
less than or equal to .+-.0.5%, less than or equal to .+-.0.1%, or
less than or equal to .+-.0.05%. For example, if a difference
between two values is less than or equal to .+-.10% of an average
value of the value (for example, less than or equal to .+-.5%, less
than or equal to .+-.4%, less than or equal to .+-.3%, less than or
equal to .+-.2%, less than or equal to .+-.1%, less than or equal
to .+-.0.5%, less than or equal to .+-.0.1%, or less than or equal
to .+-.0.05%), it could be considered that the two values are
"substantially" the same. For example, being "substantially"
parallel may refer to an angular variation range of less than or
equal to .+-.10.degree. with respect to 0.degree., for example,
less than or equal to .+-.5.degree., less than or equal to
.+-.4.degree., less than or equal to .+-.3.degree., less than or
equal to .+-.2.degree., less than or equal to .+-.1.degree., less
than or equal to .+-.0.5.degree., less than or equal to
.+-.0.1.degree., or less than or equal to .+-.0.05.degree.. For
example, being "substantially" perpendicular may refer to an
angular variation range of less than or equal to .+-.10.degree.
with respect to 90.degree., for example, less than or equal to
.+-.5.degree., less than or equal to .+-.4.degree., less than or
equal to .+-.3.degree., less than or equal to .+-.2.degree., less
than or equal to .+-.1.degree., less than or equal to
.+-.0.5.degree., less than or equal to .+-.0.1.degree., or less
than or equal to .+-.0.05.degree..
As used herein, the singular terms "a/an" and "the" may include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In
the description of some embodiments, assemblies provided "on" or
"above" another assembly may encompass a case in which a former
assembly is directly on a latter assembly (for example, in physical
contact with the latter assembly), and a case in which one or more
intermediate assemblies are located between the former assembly and
the latter assembly.
Unless otherwise specified, spatial descriptions such as "above",
"below", "upper", "left", "right", "lower", "top", "bottom",
"vertical", "horizontal", "side", "higher", "lower", "upper
portion", "on", "under", and "downward" are indicated relative to
the orientations shown in the figures. It should be understood that
the space descriptions used herein are merely for illustrative
purposes, and actual implementations of the structures described
herein may be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner,
provided that the advantages of embodiments of the present
application are not deviated due to such arrangement.
While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated
with reference to specific embodiments thereof, these descriptions
and illustrations do not limit the present disclosure. It should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the
appended claims. The illustrations may not be necessarily drawn to
scale. There may be distinctions between the artistic renditions in
the present disclosure and the actual apparatus due to
manufacturing processes and tolerances. There may be other
embodiments of the present disclosure which are not specifically
illustrated. The specification and drawings are to be regarded as
illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter,
method, or process to the objective, spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be
within the scope of the claims appended hereto. While the methods
disclosed herein have been described with reference to particular
operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood
that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered
to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings
of the present disclosure. Therefore, unless otherwise specifically
indicated herein, the order and grouping of operations shall not be
construed as any limitation on the present application.
Several embodiments of the present disclosure and features of
details are briefly described above. The embodiments described in
the present disclosure may be easily used as a basis for designing
or modifying other processes and structures for realizing the same
or similar objectives and/or obtaining the same or similar
advantages introduced in the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Such equivalent construction does not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure, and various variations,
replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *